User configurable search methods for an area imaging indicia reader

ABSTRACT

A method of operating an optical reading device for collecting and processing indicia data comprising the steps of: converting light with an image sensor into output signals representative of an image in a field of view (FOV) of the image sensor; user programming a processor to search the output signals according to a search strategy; searching the output signals for an information bearing indicia (IBI) within the FOV according to the user programmed search strategy; and, decoding information contained in the IBI.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to image reader devices, and moreparticularly to a exemplary method of operating an image reader to finddataforms in images.

BACKGROUND

Indicia reading devices (also referred to as readers, readers, etc.)typically read data represented by printed indicia, (also referred to assymbols, symbology, bar codes, etc.) For instance one type of a symbolis an array of rectangular bars and spaces that are arranged in aspecific way to represent elements of data in machine readable form.Optical indicia reading devices typically transmit light onto a symboland receive light scattered and/or reflected back from a bar code symbolor indicia. The received light is interpreted by an image processor toextract the data represented by the symbol. Laser indicia readingdevices typically utilize transmitted laser light.

One-dimensional (1D) optical bar code readers are characterized byreading data that is encoded along a single axis, in the widths of barsand spaces, so that such symbols can be read from a single scan alongthat axis, provided that the symbol is imaged with a sufficiently highresolution along that axis.

In order to allow the encoding of larger amounts of data in a single barcode symbol, a number of 1D stacked bar code symbologies have beendeveloped which partition encoded data into multiple rows, eachincluding a respective 1D bar code pattern, all or most all of whichmust be scanned and decoded, then linked together to form a completemessage. Scanning still requires relatively higher resolution in onedimension only, but multiple linear scans are needed to read the wholesymbol.

A class of bar code symbologies known as two dimensional (2D) matrixsymbologies have been developed which offer orientation-free scanningand greater data densities and capacities than 1D symbologies. 2D matrixcodes encode data as dark or light data elements within a regularpolygonal matrix, accompanied by graphical finder, orientation andreference structures. Often times an optical reader may be portable andwireless in nature thereby providing added flexibility. In thesecircumstances, such readers form part of a wireless network in whichdata collected within the terminals is communicated to a host computersituated on a hardwired backbone via a wireless link. For example, thereaders may include a radio or optical transceiver for communicatingwith a network computer.

Conventionally, a reader, whether portable or otherwise, may include acentral processor which directly controls the operations of the variouselectrical components housed within the bar code reader. For example,the central processor controls detection of keyboard entries, displayfeatures, wireless communication functions, trigger detection, and barcode read and decode functionality.

Efforts regarding such systems have led to continuing developments toimprove their versatility, practicality and efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary image reader.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary partially cutaway side view of an exemplaryimage reader.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary image reader system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary indicia reader system.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary GUI application for operating an image readersystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments of the inventionwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. This invention,however, may be embodied in various forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theserepresentative embodiments are described in detail so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope, structure, operation, functionality, and potential ofapplicability of the invention to those skilled in the art. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary image reading device, such as ascanner, personal digital assistant (PDA) 112, portable data terminal(PDT), scanner, etc. that may be a platform for an image readingassembly 114 having the capability for capturing and reading images,some of which may have symbol indicia provided therein. For exemplarypurposes only, image reading devices will be exemplified herein in termsof PDAs, which may be typically defined as handheld devices used as apersonal organizer, and having many uses such as reading informationbearing indicia, calculating, use as a clock and calendar, playingcomputer games, accessing the Internet, sending and receiving E-mails,use as a radio or stereo, video recording, recording notes, use as anaddress book, and use as a spreadsheet. A plurality of buttons or keys115 may be used to control operation of the PDA and the imaging readerassembly 114. A display 116 may be utilized to provide a user aninterface for a user, such as a graphical user interface (GUI).

PDAs may be equipped with the ability to query and receive and transmitdata, such as software via a communication link, such as by radio linkor wired link. Upgrading firmware from host processor to PDA (alsoreferred to as uploading or pushing) and duplicating configurationparameters may be performed by reading specific indicia to ensure PDAsare operating at the proper revision and have the proper configurationparameters.

A PDT is typically an electronic device that is used to enter orretrieve data via wireless transmission (WLAN or WWAN) and may alsoserve as an indicia reader used in a stores, warehouse, hospital, or inthe field to access a database from a remote location.

The PDA 112 may be a Hand Held Products Dolphin® series or the like andmay include a cradle connected to a computer by a cable or wirelessconnection to provide two-way data communication therebetween. Thecomputer may be replaced with a different processing device, such as adata processor, a laptop computer, a modem or other connection to anetwork computer server, an internet connection, or the like. The PDAmay include a display and keys mounted in a case to activate and controlvarious features on the PDA. The display may be a touch screen LCD thatallows the display of various icons representative of different programsavailable on the PDA which may be activated by finger pressure or thetouch of a stylus. The display may also be used to show indicia, graphs,tabular data, animation, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates a scanning system configuration in accordance withthe present invention, wherein a plurality of readers 112 are beingoperated or utilized in a remote location, such as in a store point ofsale (POS) warehouse or on a delivery truck. A reader may be incommunication (wired or wireless) with the internet through the use of alocal processing system 130, such as might be resident on a local serveror computer having a wired or wireless router for providing internetservice to a device or devices such as PDAs. The local processing system130 may be in communication via the internet with a remote/web server134 through a wired or wireless connection for the transfer ofinformation over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or“wires”. The distances involved may be short (a few meters as intelevision remote control) or very long (thousands or even millions ofkilometers for radio communications). Wireless communication may involveradio frequency communication. Applications may involve point-to-pointcommunication, point-to-multipoint communication, broadcasting, cellularnetworks and other wireless networks. This may involve: cordlesstelephony such as DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications);Cellular systems such as 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G; Short-rangepoint-to-point communication such as IrDA or RFID (Radio FrequencyIdentification), Wireless USB, DSRC (Dedicated Short RangeCommunications); Wireless sensor networks such as ZigBee; Personal areanetworks such as Bluetooth or Ultra-wideband (UWB from WiMediaAlliance); Wireless computer networks such as Wireless Local AreaNetworks (WLAN), IEEE 802.11 branded as WiFi or HIPERLAN; or WirelessMetropolitan Area Networks (WMAN) and Broadband Fixed Access (BWA) suchas LMDS, WiMAX or HIPERMAN.

The Internet is the worldwide, publicly accessible network ofinterconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switchingusing the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a “network of networks”that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, andgovernment networks, which together carry various information andservices, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and theinterlinked Web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web. The IPis a data-oriented protocol used for communicating data across apacket-switched internetwork, and may be a network layer protocol in theinternet protocol suite and encapsulated in a data link layer protocol(e.g., Ethernet). As a lower layer protocol, the IP provides the serviceof communicable unique global addressing amongst computers to provide aservice not necessarily available with a data link layer.

Ethernet provides globally unique addresses and may not be globallycommunicable (i.e., two arbitrarily chosen Ethernet devices will only beable to communicate if they are on the same bus). IP provides finaldestinations with data packets whereas Ethernet may only be concernedwith the next device (computer, router, etc.) in the chain. The finaldestination and next device could be one and the same (if they are onthe same bus) but the final destination could be remotely located. IPcan be used over a heterogeneous network (i.e., a network connecting twocomputers can be any mix of Ethernet, ATM, FDDI, Wi-fi, token ring,etc.) and does not necessarily affect upper layer protocols.

One or more PDA may be outfitted with a communication module configuredto communicate with other PDAs that have an appropriate typecommunication module. One or more PDA may be configured to communicatewith a base unit 138 configured to interface between the PDA and anetwork.

In the case of a mobile hand held optical PDA hardwired to itsindividual base unit, this link between the PDA and base unit is fixedand permanent. In the case of a wireless mobile hand held optical PDAthat communicates wirelessly with its individual base unit, this linkcan be made by programming the PDA with information identifying theparticular base unit so the PDA directs its transmitted information tothat base unit, or vice versa.

One or more readers 112 may be in communication (wired or wireless) witha local transaction processing system, such as a local point of saleregister 140. The local point of sale register 140 may be incommunication via a wired or wireless connection for the transfer ofinformation over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or“wires”.

The information bearing indicia may be displayed on and read from anexemplary display, such as may be disposed on a platform such as PCmonitor, mobile phone, portable data terminal (PDT), personal digitalassistant (PDA), etc. A Portable Data Terminal, or PDT, is typically anelectronic device that is used to enter or retrieve data via wirelesstransmission (WLAN or WWAN) and may also serve as an indicia reader usedin a stores, warehouse, hospital, or in the field to access a databasefrom a remote location. The information bearing indicia may also beprinted on a printable medium 113, such as a product, packaging, etc.and then read by the reader. This would allow for users to receive a“software or firmware update” barcode electronically (i.e. email) andthen simply view and scan the barcode on the PC.

In the exemplary embodiment, software or firmware installation may becompleted by a user simply by access to a wired or wireless connectionto a host server.

The terms “scan”, “scanning” or “reading” use herein refers to readingor extracting data from an information bearing indicia (IBI), barcode orsymbol.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, an optical indicia reader 112 may have anumber of subsystems for capturing and reading images, some of which mayhave symbol indicia provided therein. Reader 112 may have an imagingreader assembly 114 provided within a head portion or housing 116 whichmay be configured to be hand held by an operator. A trigger 115 may beused to control operation of the reader 112. Image reader assembly 114has imaging receive optics 152 having an optical axis (OA) for receivinglight reflected from a target T and directing or projecting thereflected light from the target T to an image sensor 154. The opticalaxis is a line of symmetry through the imaging optics.

The receive optics 152 has a focal point wherein parallel rays of lightcoming from infinity converge at the focal point. If the focal point iscoincident with the image sensor, the target (at infinity) is “infocus”. A target T is said to be in focus if light from target pointsare converged about as well as desirable at the image sensor.Conversely, it is out of focus if light is not well converged.“Focusing” is the procedure of adjusting the distance between thereceive optics and the image sensor to cause the target T to beapproximately in focus.

The target may be any object or substrate and may bear a 1D or 2D barcode symbol or text or other machine readable indicia. A trigger 115 maybe used for controlling full or partial operation of the reader 112.

Image sensor 154 may be a two-dimensional array of pixels adapted tooperate in a global shutter or full frame operating mode which is acolor or monochrome 2D CCD, CMOS, NMOS, PMOS, CID, CMD, etc. solid stateimage sensor. This sensor contains an array of light sensitivephotodiodes (or pixels) that convert incident light energy into electriccharge. Solid state image sensors allow regions of a full frame of imagedata to be addressed. An exemplary CMOS sensor is model number MT9V022from Micron Technology Inc. or model number VC5602V036 36CLCC fromSTMicroelectronics.

Further description of image sensor operation is provided in commonlyowned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/077,995 entitled “BAR CODEREADING DEVICE WITH GLOBAL ELECTRONIC SHUTTER CONTROL” filed on Mar. 11,2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in it's entirety.

In a full frame (or global) shutter operating mode, the entire imager isreset before integration to remove any residual signal in thephotodiodes. The photodiodes (pixels) then accumulate charge for someperiod of time (exposure period), with the light collection starting andending at about the same time for all pixels. At the end of theintegration period (time during which light is collected), all chargesare simultaneously transferred to light shielded areas of the sensor.The light shield prevents further accumulation of charge during thereadout process. The signals are then shifted out of the light shieldedareas of the sensor and read out.

Features and advantages associated with incorporating a color imagesensor in an imaging device, and other control features which may beincorporated in a control circuit are discussed in greater detail inU.S. Pat. No. 6,832,725 entitled “An Optical Reader Having a ColorImager” incorporated herein by reference. It is to be noted that theimage sensor 154 may read images with illumination from a source otherthan illumination source 146, such as by illumination from a sourcelocated remote from the reader.

The output of the image sensor may be processed utilizing one or morefunctions or algorithms to condition the signal appropriately for use infurther processing downstream, including being digitized to provide adigitized image of target T. Microcontroller 160 may perform a number offunctions. The particulars of the functionality of microcontroller 160may be determined by or based upon certain configuration settings ordata which may be stored in remote or local memory or firmware 162,166,172. One such function may be controlling the amount of illuminationprovided by illumination source 146 by controlling the output powerprovided by illumination source power supply 144. Microcontroller 160may also control other functions and devices.

An exemplary microcontroller 160 is a CY8C24223A made by CypressSemiconductor Corporation, which is a mixed-signal array with on-chipcontroller devices designed to replace multiple traditional MCU-basedsystem components with one single-chip programmable device. It mayinclude configurable blocks of analog and digital logic, as well asprogrammable interconnects.

Microcontroller 160 may include a predetermined amount of memory 162 forstoring firmware and data. The firmware may be a software program or setof instructions embedded in or programmed on the microcontroller whichprovides the necessary instructions for how the microcontroller operatesand communicates with other hardware. The firmware may be stored in theflash memory (ROM) of the microcontroller as a binary image file and maybe erased and rewritten. The firmware may be considered “semi-permanent”since it remains the same unless it is updated. This firmware update orload may be handled by a device driver.

The components in reader 112 may be connected by one or more bus 168,data lines or other signal or data communication form. Exemplary formsmay be an Inter-IC bus such as an I²C bus, dedicated data bud, RS232interface, etc. An I²C bus is a control bus that provides acommunications link between integrated circuits in a system. This busmay connect to a host computer in relatively close proximity, on or offthe same printed circuit board as used by the imaging device. I²C is atwo-wire serial bus with a software-defined protocol and may be used tolink such diverse components as the image sensor 154, temperaturesensors, voltage level translators, EEPROMs, general-purpose I/O, A/Dand D/A converters, CODECs, and microprocessors/microcontrollers. A hostprocessor 118 or a local processor 170 may be utilized to perform anumber of functional operation, which may involve the performance of anumber of related steps, the particulars of which may be determined byor based upon certain configuration settings stored in memory 166 whichmay be any one of a number of memory types such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM,etc. In addition some memory functions may be stored in memory 162provided as part of the microcontroller 160.

An exemplary function of a processor 118, 170 may be to decode machinereadable types of symbology or information bearing indicia (IBI)provided within the target or captured image. Examples may comprise onedimensional (or linear) symbologies, stacked symbologies, matrixsymbologies, Composite symbologies, etc. One dimensional (or linear)symbologies which may include very large to ultra-small, Code 128,Interleaved 2 of 5, Codabar, Code 93, Code 11, Code 39, UPC, EAN, andMSI. Stacked symbologies may include PDF, Code 16K and Code 49. Matrixsymbologies may include Aztec, Datamatrix, Maxicode, and QR-code.Composite symbologies may include linear symbologies combined withstacked symbologies. Other symbology examples may comprise OCR-A, OCR-B,MICR types of symbologies. UPC/EAN symbology or barcodes are standardlyused to mark retail products throughout North America, Europe andseveral other countries throughout the worlds. Decoding is a term usedto describe the interpretation of a machine readable code contained inan image captured by the image sensor 154. The code has data orinformation encoded therein. Information respecting various referencedecode algorithm is available from various published standards, such asby the International Standards Organization (“ISO”).

An exemplary function of host processor 118, 170 may be to manipulateimages, such as cropping or rotation such as described herein. Imagingreader assembly 112 may also have an aiming generator light source 132,aiming aperture 133, aiming optics 136, an illumination source(s) 146and illumination optics 148.

Illumination and aiming light sources with different colors may beemployed. For example, in one such embodiment the image reader mayinclude white and red LEDs, red and green LEDs, white, red, and greenLEDs, or some other combination chosen in response to, for example, thecolor of the symbols most commonly imaged by the image reader. Differentcolored LEDs may be each alternatively pulsed at a level in accordancewith an overall power budget. Aiming pattern generator 130 may include apower supply 131, light source 132, aperture 133 and optics 136 tocreate an aiming light pattern projected on or near the target whichspans a portion of the receive optical system 150 operational field ofview FOV) with the intent of assisting the operator to properly aim thescanner at the bar code pattern that is to be read. A number ofrepresentative generated aiming patterns are possible and not limited toany particular pattern or type of pattern, such as any combination ofrectilinear, linear, circular, elliptical, etc. figures, whethercontinuous or discontinuous, i.e., defined by sets of discrete dots,dashes and the like.

Generally, the aiming light source may comprise any light source whichis sufficiently small or concise and bright to provide a desiredillumination pattern at the target. For example, light source 132 foraiming generator 130 may comprise one or more LEDs 134, such as partnumber NSPG300A made by Nichia Corporation.

The light beam from the LEDs 132 may be directed towards an aperture 133located in close proximity to the LEDs. An image of this backilluminated aperture 133 may then be projected out towards the targetlocation with a lens 136. Lens 136 may be a spherically symmetric lens,an aspheric lens, a cylindrical lens or an anamorphic lens with twodifferent radii of curvature on their orthogonal lens axis. Alternately,the aimer pattern generator may be a laser pattern generator. The lightsources 132 may also be comprised of one or more laser diodes such asthose available from Rohm. In this case a laser collimation lens (notshown in these drawings) will focus the laser light to a spot generallyforward of the scanning hear and approximately at the plane of thetarget T. This beam may then be imaged through a diffractiveinterference pattern generating element, such as a holographic elementfabricated with the desired pattern in mind. Examples of these types ofelements are known, commercially available items and may be purchased,for example, from Digital Optics Corp. of Charlotte, N.C. among others.

Image reader may include an illumination assembly 142 for illuminatingtarget area T. Illumination assembly 142 may also include one or morepower supplies 144, illumination sources 146 and illumination optics148.

A communications module 180 provides a communication link from imagingreader 112 to other imaging readers or to other systems such as aserver/remote processor 124.

The processor, memory and associated circuitry which performs orcontrols the exemplary image manipulations (e.g. image croppingfunction) described hereinbefore may be provided in the image readerassembly 114 or on associated circuit boards which are located withinthe housing 116 of the image reader 112.

It may be necessary for an image reader to find and decode multiplesymbols or information bearing indicia (IBI) present in the imager fieldof view, particularly when the imager is mounted in a fixed position. Anexemplary embodiment may be to permit an operator of the imager toprogram or modify a decoder search pattern to look or search for IBIs.An application provided on the image reader, transaction processingsystem, local/host server or the like may provide a user a way toconfigure a search method or strategy for different applications,depending upon their unique requirements. Fixed mounted applications forexample, may have well defined characteristics that allow the search tobe optimized. For example, upon initial setup of a fixed mount readingsystem, an operator, such as a field service technician, may assess thecharacteristics of the reading system and optimize the search pattern.For example, this may be done in a fixed mount system where the barcodes to be read are presented by a machine as opposed to a human sincethe barcodes may be positioned in nearly the same position andorientation on every read scan attempt. Once the characteristics of thefirst system have been set, they may be copied to all subsequent systemat a point of manufacture.

Exemplary data or information that may be used to configure a search maytake into account: that the IBIs being searched for may be of a certaintype, such as data matrix; that the IBIs being searched for may havetheir finder patterns roughly parallel to the edges of the image; orthat the IBIs being searched for may be in the “right half” of theimage.

In an exemplary embodiment, the decoder may have a mode in which thedecoder “draws” or displays search or finder pattern lines on an imagefor use as an aid by the user to tell whether or not the IBI is beingfound. A stylus 50 or other writing instrument may be utilized fordrawing the search pattern.

In an exemplary embodiment, a reader may be commanded to operate in aspecial mode in which it would output an image, or multiple images to ahost computer, with the search pattern superimposed on those images. Theoperator may be able to see whether the superimposed search patternintersects an IBI of interest or not.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user may specify “clues” or instructionsto the decoder. Such clues or instructions my comprise locations ofwhere the IBIs are likely to be located, what types of IBIs may beexpected, the order of locations search, etc. Such clues or instructionsmay be used optimize the search pattern. For example, the user mayspecify that only linear barcode that are oriented vertically in theimage will be present, thereby allowing the search algorithms in thedata processor to not use time search for horizontally oriented 1Dcodes, stacked codes, or 2D codes.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of configuring an IBI searchstrategy which may comprise a GUI application provided that may allow auser to “draw” search lines on an image. The application may then sendthis search pattern to the decoder for use in live searches. Anexemplary GUI may be displayed on a host computer or transactionprocessing system 372 or a image reader 112 having a display.

An exemplary GUI application may be hosted by a PDT, a lap top computer,or a desktop computer, etc. The host computer may be collocated orremotely located from the image reader.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method of configuring an IBI searchstrategy which may comprise a GUI application provided that may allow auser to “draw” search lines on an image. The application may then sendthis search pattern to the decoder for use in live searches.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary image reading device 112 may have adisplay 116 on which a graphical user interface (GUI) 362 may bedisplayed. A GUI may be a type of user interface which allows operatorsto interact with an image reading device or other computer-controlleddevices which may employ graphical icons, visual indicators or specialgraphical elements along with text, labels or text navigation torepresent the information and actions available to the operator. Theactions may be performed through direct manipulation of the graphicalelements.

Described herein is an exemplary method of operating an optical readingdevice for collecting and processing indicia data in which the opticalreading device comprises: an image sensor having an active area field ofview (FOV) for converting light into output signals representative of animage in the FOV; receive optics for directing light from the FOV to theimage sensor active area; and, a processor adapted to be programmed by auser for: searching the output signals according to a user programmeddesired search strategy; searching the output signals for informationbearing indicia (IBI) within the FOV according to the user programmeddesired search strategy; decoding information contained in the IBIwithin the target derived from the output signals.

An exemplary search strategy may comprise at least one of the following:locating a second IBI according to it's position relative to a firstIBI; locating an IBI relative to it's position within the FOV; locatingan IBI relative to it's position to a point in two dimensional space;locating an IBI relative to it's position within a sub-region of a twodimensional space; locating an IBI relative to a starting point in theFOV; providing the operator with the option to ignore one or morelocated IBI; marking the position of IBI's that are found one or moretimes, and adapting subsequent searching as a function of the markedpositions; and utilizing one or more of the following IBIcharacteristics: position; type; and quantity of.

Exemplary user programming may comprise at least one of the following:utilizing an external processor tool; capturing an image in a trainingmode similar to a future image captured in an operating mode; the usermanually inputting the positions of each IBI during a training mode;storing the IBI positions found in a training mode for use to identifyIBI positions during an operating mode; defining search strategy basedon a user specified number of scans; and, programming more differentprofiles for different applications.

An exemplary optical reading device may have a processor adapted foraltering located IBI information.

An exemplary optical reading device may have a processor adapted forstoring multiple profiles in a memory and recalling different profilesduring an operating mode.

An exemplary method of operating an optical reading device may be tofacilitate programming different profiles for different userapplications. A profile may be a set of user programmable informationthat configures the device for optimal performance in a givenapplication

It should be understood that the programs, processes, methods andapparatus described herein are not related or limited to any particulartype of computer or network apparatus (hardware or software). Varioustypes of general purpose or specialized computer apparatus may be usedwith or perform operations in accordance with the teachings describedherein. While various elements of the preferred embodiments have beendescribed as being implemented in software, in other embodimentshardware or firmware implementations may alternatively be used, andvice-versa. The illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and shouldnot be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. Forexample, the steps of the flow diagrams may be taken in sequences otherthan those described, and more, fewer or other elements may be used inthe block diagrams. Also, unless applicants have expressly disavowed anysubject matter within this application, no particular embodiment orsubject matter is considered to be disavowed herein.

1. A method of operating an optical reading device for collecting andprocessing indicia data comprising the steps of: converting light withan image sensor into output signals representative of an image in afield of view (FOV) of the image sensor; user programming a processor tosearch the output signals according to a search strategy; searching theoutput signals for an information bearing indicia (IBI) within the FOVaccording to the user programmed search strategy; and, decodinginformation contained in the IBI.
 2. A method of operating an opticalreading device according to claim 1, wherein the search strategycomprises locating one or more IBIs within the FOV according to one ormore user programmed search strategy.
 3. A method of operating anoptical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the search strategycomprises locating a second IBI according to the IBI position relativeto a first IBI.
 4. A method of operating an optical reading deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the search strategy comprises locating anIBI relative to the IBI position within the FOV.
 5. A method ofoperating an optical reading device according to claim 1, wherein thesearch strategy comprises locating an IBI relative to the IBI positionto a point in the FOV.
 6. A method of operating an optical readingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the search strategy compriseslocating an IBI relative to the IBI position within a sub-region of theFOV.
 7. A method of operating an optical reading device according toclaim 1, wherein the search strategy comprises locating an IBI relativeto a starting point in the FOV.
 8. A method of operating an opticalreading device according to claim 1, wherein the user programmingcomprises utilizing an external processor tool.
 9. A method of operatingan optical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the userprogramming comprises scanning an IBI.
 10. A method of operating anoptical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the userprogramming comprises utilizing a GUI.
 11. A method of operating anoptical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the userprogramming comprises capturing an image in a training mode similar to afuture image captured in an operating mode.
 12. A method of operating anoptical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the userprogramming comprises capturing an image in an operating mode similar toa future image captured in an operating mode.
 13. A method of operatingan optical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the userprogramming comprises the user manually inputting the positions of eachIBI during a training mode.
 14. A method of operating an optical readingdevice according to claim 13, wherein the user programming comprisesstoring the IBI positions found in the training mode for use to identifyIBI positions during an operating mode.
 15. A method of operating anoptical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the search strategyutilizes one or more of the following IBI characteristics: position;orientation; type of symbology; and quantity of IBIs within the FOV, orcombinations of these IBI characteristics.
 16. A method of operating anoptical reading device according to claim 1, wherein the search strategyutilizes whether an IBI is a linear, stacked or matrix type ofsymbology.
 17. A method of operating an optical reading device accordingto claim 1, wherein the search strategy comprises decoding IBIs in adesired order.
 18. A method of operating an optical reading deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the search strategy comprises providingthe operator with the option to ignore one or more located IBI.
 19. Amethod of operating an optical reading device according to claim 1,further comprising the step of ignoring information within a locatedIBI.
 20. A method of operating an optical reading device according toclaim 1, wherein the search strategy comprises marking the position ofIBI's that are found one or more times, and adapting subsequentsearching as a function of the marked positions.
 21. A method ofoperating an optical reading device according to claim 1, wherein theuser programming comprises defining a search strategy based on a userspecified number of scans.
 22. A method of operating an optical readingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the user programming comprisesprogramming different profiles for different applications.
 23. A methodof operating an optical reading device according to claim 22, comprisingstoring multiple profiles in a memory and recalling different profilesduring an operating mode.
 24. An optical reading device for collectingand processing indicia data comprising: an image sensor for convertinglight into output signals representative of an image in a field of view(FOV) of the image sensor; a processor adapted for: user programming tosearch the output signals according to a search strategy; searching theoutput signals for an information bearing indicia (IBI) within the FOVaccording to the user programmed search strategy; and, decodinginformation contained in the IBI.
 25. An optical reading deviceaccording to claim 24, wherein the search strategy comprises at leastone of the following: locating one or more IBIs within the FOV accordingto one or more user programmed search strategy; locating a second IBIaccording to the IBI position relative to a first IBI; locating an IBIrelative to the IBI position within the FOV; locating an IBI relative tothe IBI position to a point in the FOV; locating an IBI relative to theIBI position within a sub-region of the FOV; locating an IBI relative toa starting point in the FOV; utilizing one or more of the following IBIcharacteristics: position; orientation; type of symbology; and quantityof IBIs within the FOV, or combinations of these IBI characteristics;utilizing whether an IBI is a linear, stacked or matrix type ofsymbology; decoding IBIs in a desired order; providing the operator withthe option to ignore one or more located IBI; ignoring informationwithin a located IBI; and, marking the position of IBI's that are foundone or more times, and adapting subsequent searching as a function ofthe marked positions.
 26. An optical reading device according to claim18, wherein the user programming comprises at least one of thefollowing: utilizing an external processor tool; scanning an IBI;utilizing a GUI; capturing an image in a training mode similar to afuture image captured in an operating mode; capturing an image in anoperating mode similar to a future image captured in an operating mode;the user manually inputting the positions of each IBI during a trainingmode; storing the IBI positions found in a training mode for use toidentify IBI positions during an operating mode; defining a searchstrategy based on a user specified number of scans; programmingdifferent profiles for different applications; storing multiple profilesin a memory and recalling different profiles during an operating mode.